Winners of the 4th edition of the Kigali International Marathon set for May 11 are expected to bag cash prizes worth $23.200 (approx. Frw13 millions), Times Sport exclusively reports.

The development was confirmed on Monday by the local athletics governing body, RAF that this year’s cash prizes have raised with an aim of attracting more participants from across the globe.

RAF secretary general Appolinaire Munyangoga said, "We have increased the cash prizes to attract leading athletes to take part in this year’s edition of the Kigali International Marathon".

The first five winners in the marathon event are expected to bag $ 2000, $1500, $1200, $800 and $600 respectively.

Winners in half marathon event will scoop $1600, $1400, $1200, $800 and $500 respectively.

Last year’s edition, $1500 was staked for winning athlete in full marathon as the half marathon winner scooped $1000.

According to the athletics federation Frw37.5 million has been budgeted to cater for the one-day international marathon set to attract over 3000 participants.

The Kigali International Marathon is sponsored by Ministry of Culture and Sport which has injected in Frw30 millions, Rwanda National Olympic Committee which has also injected in Frw2.5 millions as well as Rwanda’s tourism body ORTPN which has contributed Frw5 millions.

Other sponsors include; Soroptimist international, MTN Rwanda, Bank Populaire,Rwanda, Mountain tea, UNFPA, Magerwa, Bralirwa, ONP, Ocir café, Inyange, SMS Media and Lotto Rwanda among others.

Registration for the international peace marathon due in Kigali is set for April 28 at both Amahoro and Nyamirambo stadiums.

Fourteen marathon runners from Europe have confirmed their participation while Seventeen European and three African athletes have confirmed their participation in the half marathon event.

164 athletes have been registered for Fun for Run event.

Kenya’s Daniel Rotich won the full marathon in last year’s edition with the closest Rwanda, Felix Ntirenganya finishing 14th.

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